POV

March 12th 1993. A time when Mumbai was still Bombay. Lokhandwalla was a set of buildings in progress, where gangs regularly went to war. Where In Orbit & Hypercity Malad were rubbish dumps, when the expressway didn’t exist, when Asiatic and Akbarally’s were great malls and when Phoenix was a shut down mill !

March 12th 1993, a set of blasts that shook Mumbai to the core. Buildings blasted, people vaporized and the sense of innate security that citizens of this metropolis had torn to shreds. In all,

A series of bomb blasts ripped through 13 places in the city, killing 257 people and injuring 713. These were the first blasts in which RDX was used and the explosions were allegedly planned by underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

This was before the 24/7 news era – and therefore the term 12/3 has not passed into popular lexicon ! No body remembers the anniversary or places flowers at key places where the bombs went off and people died

Locations attacked include (dead in brackets)

* Fisherman’s Colony in Mahim causeway[15]
* Zaveri Bazaar[12]
* Plaza Cinema[12]
* Century Bazaar[12]
* Katha Bazaar[12]
* Hotel Sea Rock[12]
* Sahar Airport[12]
* Air India Building[12]
* Hotel Juhu Centaur[12]
* Plaza Theatre near Shiv Sena HQ[16]
* Lucky Petrol near Shiv Sena HQ[16]
* Worli[17]
* Bombay Stock Exchange Building[10]
* Hotel Centaur, Santa Cruz[16]
* Area opposite of Century Bazaar[13]
* Passport Office[18]

I was a student at that time, away in London. I heard about it on the BBC. I was terrified. My dad worked in Air India Building, my brother studied at Xaviers, my mom taught at Sophia’s – all in town, and both passing the passport office en route to our home. It was a different time – no instant messaging, no net, no twitter – and the land lines were impossible to get through to …..

My mother told me about this BEST bus that was blown up near the passport office. many commuters were 12th standard students, who having finished their HSC exams were returning to their respective homes. Not enough scraps were found for last rites.

SR pointed me out to a spot next to Sena Bhavan – the site of a petrol pump – where a bomb failed to go off. Had it gone off the whole area would have been levelled .

The foot soldiers behind the blast were sentenced a few years ago. Those who planned it still run free.

The BBC’s coverage -

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It is good to know that the film that you have believed in and backed – is appreciated

9 nominations at Sanskruti Kala Darpan Awards. As Shyam would say in the film “jhing Chik Jhing”

Best Film – Jhing Chik Jhing, Cogito Entertainment
Bets Director – Nitin Nandan
Best Cinematography – Amalendhu Chaudhary
Best Actor – Bharat Jadhav
Best Actor – Madhavi Juvekar
Best Child Actor – Chinmay Kambli
Best Background Score – Rahul Ranade
Best Lyrics – Shrirang Godbole
Best Costume

Feels good
BTW – Nitin Nandan got the best story award at Zee Gaurav

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shooting the crew, shooting at Madh.

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AnonymousTarun

Last evening, SR and I trudged down to Crosswords – Juhu where Sonali Kulkarni’s book “So Kul” was being launched. “So Kul” – an abbreviation of her name is collection of essays from her weekly column in Loksatta.

Sonali in addition to being writer, actor etal is also presenting our show “Art Beat” on popular Marathi & Gujarati Culture in Mumbai on Samay Mumbai, and a genuinely nice person.

(Sonali Kulkarni shooting for Art Beat, production still)

At the book launch were the who’s who of Mumbai’s creative talent – Atul Kulkarni, Swanand Kirkire, Satyendra Dubey, Shiv Subramaniam, and the Management of the Express Group – Shekhar Gupta & Kumar Ketkar.

Nana’s comments have got reported today, but just in the part that makes for snappy headlines. There were a couple of other points that were equally valid – and they possibly didn’t get picked up in the English Language Press because he said it in Marathi (editors, please ensure that your reporters know some local language – it helps in getting a more comprehensive story

Referring to violence in civil society in general, and the incident where Kumar Ketkar’s home got vandalized, he said most of us were horrified, wanted to do something, but did nothing. He said that, in retrospect, he felt napunsak (depending on context either neuter or impotent) . He said that then he began speaking up when his conscience was disturbed, and said that it was better to face brickbats (literal as well as words) than to cower like a coward. He said, to the audience’s amusement, that have a shrard on a daily basis would be boring ! Even the crows will be put off.

Kumar Ketkar, quoted Nana saying that he is also a Bihari, a Punjabi, A South Indian, Hindu, Muslim — and in that comprehensiveness. his soul thrives (believe me it sounds better in Marathi )

It was a evening full of genuine bonhomie. Sonali’s reading of her piece on multiplexes – from the taking an oversized bag with a bottle of water, and a shawl to the behaviour of cinema goers – had people smiling and gently chuckling away …. so much more enjoyable than canned laughter

And Finally – the event was gathered by print and electronic press. Paparazzi has truly arrived. clicks and screams by photographers & cameramen, that drown out the participants conversation. I wonder whether channels appreciate the fact that their crew represents them, and their uninhibited enthusiasm – can be construed as bad manners !

(the book So Kul, is available at various bookships, it costs Rs.300 and is in Marathi)

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Madh Island, Mumbai, is dotted with bungalows that are often used for shoots. They are called shoot bungalows – as compared to the private or company bungalows that dot the landscape.

We were shooting for a show called Golden Age, hosted by Kitu Gidwani – that goes on Samay Mumbai from next week. The show is aimed at an audience above 50 – and seeks to ‘empower’ them through a combination of information, case studies and representation .

(Kitu Gidwani – Golden Age, Samay Mumbai)

More on the show closer to launch date……

Being in Madh, gives you access to the beach – and with that a whole different ecosystem At one end you have shoot crews bustling and shouting out instructions …

And, at the other – across the wall- you have a much quieter mode of life – where conversations seem to be much more muted. and, people seem to have the non verbal communication of those who work hours together and are in perfect synch

A shoot – in addition to talent, equipment and crew – is also props – that give the sorroundings a different kind of ambience

Something like this simply adds a dash of colour to a frame. All those little splashes or little touches that one sees in a frame (or more likely doesn’t see) takes time to achieve.

Often, I run out of patience when propping is being done _ and I usually try one of three things a) spend time with the talent – trying to get the best out of the content. Usually the best way is through conversation on the topic – this allows for an exchange of ideas and usually a better take for camera. b) meditate – staying calm is absolutely necessary on the shoot floor. I personally have issues with loud decibels or rudeness. I push aside those tendencies with just finding a corner and meditating. c) click – another way of relaxing. I tend to shoot in interesting places, and I like documenting those places & people – and there is always enough downtime – unless I am also directing – to click

And, of course, if i am lucky – i truly get a great Arabian Sea sunset ….

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TarunAnonymous(3)

(Bharat Jadhav & Chinmay Kambli in Jhing Chik Jhing)

On Sunday,20th of February, before a star studded audience made up of luminaries of Marathi stage and screen, at Andheri Sports Complex, Nitin Nandan took home the Zee Gaurav award for Best Story “Jhing Chik Jhing”.

As Anand put it, we can actually say that Cogito has made an award winning film :):)

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Anonymous(3)

The Mylapore (Mayil – peacock; ooru – city) is possibly, my favourite temple. When I am in Chennai i visit Mylapore everyday, sometimes twice a day – much to my family’s amusement. When in Mumbai, visiting temples is not a part of my daily or even weekly routine. I manage a little roadside temple every so often – but it isn’t quite the same as going into a largish temple complex, and just sitting and absorbing the peace.

The Kapleshwar Kovil – main entrance. Also called as the Mylapore

the motif of peacocks are prevalent thro’ the temple. It is said that Parvati took the form of a pea hen to woo her Lord in this sacred spot.

A temple complex, rather than a single Temple, The Mylapore temple houses shrines for all members of the first family of the Universe.
(Shiva Parvati with Ganesha & Kartikeya there are shrines for all in the complex – along with a shrine for the navagraha)

Around the temple complex sit a number of vendors of pooja material.

One of the great things about this temple is its absolute cleanliness. No water on the floor, no need to look where you are going – in the fear of stepping on something yucky.

The Dhwajastambha is at the entrance near the pond – golden, seemingly touching the skies and totally impressive.

(the Dhwajastambha – or flag pole – at the Temple)

There is something about this temple which makes me feel completely in balance with the universe. Possibly the fact that there is so much piety and surrender in the space.

and, finally – possibly my favorite carving – the blue goddess

obviously the heavens don’t believe in size zero

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Tarun

Saturday was a strange sort of a day. i was shooting from dawn, outdoors around Mumbai. By dusk, i was knackered. 15 years earlier, i would have gone to edit – but on Saturday, all i wanted was to get home. My mind had packed up.

SK called – Bharat, Madhavi, Chinmay, Raju, Story, Direction and Film – he rattled off……
I gaped like a gold fish – my mind recognizing the words, but not the meaning ….
SK said we were nominated in those categories.

I think that i am still grinning like an idiot – feels good.

Best Actor - Bharat Jadhav (male) Madhavi Juvekar (female) , Chinmay Kambli (child)

(Bharat Jadhav (Mouli) , Madhavi Juvekar (Manda) , Chinmay Kambli (Shyam) and Aarti More ( Dipti) in Jhing Chik Jhing)

Best Sound Raju Hegde

Best Story & Best Direction – Nitin Nandan

Best Film – Cogito Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (that’s us

First Look Jhing Chik Jhing !

Jhing Chik Jhing – coming soon at a theatre near you !

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Anonymous

Jhing Chik Jhing – the Marathi film that my company Cogito Entertainment produced – is ready.

It was part of the panorama at the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) on Wednesday – and ran houseful to an appreciative audience.

The last year has been a roller coaster. Producing a film, especially one that is made out of passion – is the best way to age rapidly I have come to a conclusion that Independent producers making movies is the modern equivalent of the quest for treasure – full of adrenaline and adventure !

This the poster for the film

Jhing Chik Jhing

Cast : Bharat Jadhav, Dilip Prabhavalkar, Madhavi Juvekar, Chinmay Kambli, Aarti More, Sanjay Mone, Uday Sabnis

Director : Nitin Nandan

Cinematographer : Amalendu Chaudhary

Producers : Cogito Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

This from the official synopsis

Shyam is an everyday small boy, mischievous and very inquisitive. His world is made up of Mouli (father), Manda(mother), Dipti (sister) & Gautam (best friend).The family lives in a small house on their cotton farm, somewhere inCentral Maharashtra.

The family earns its meagre living by growing cotton, which is sold at the local Government Cotton Mill. But Shyam is least concerned with all this. Most of his time is spent in exploring,
discovering & playing with Gautam.

The major concerns in his life are the state of his school uniform (a hole in his pants) and whether his mother will make bhajjis (fritters) for dinner. Shyam’s idyllic life is thrown asunder when he realises that his family is reeling under debt and his father has all but given up hope of ever getting his farmlands out of mortgage. All dreams of a new school uniform &
bhajjis come crashing down.

After overcoming his initial dejection, Shyam takes it upon himself to save his
family. He is not so easily overcome by his parents’ sense of impending doom. The lessons he has learned at school give him reason to hope. One day in school, he hits upon a scheme that might just do the trick – a sack race that carries a winner’s prize of Rupees. 10,000/-.

With the help of Dipti and Gautam, he begins practicing with the sack for the big day. Mouli is at first perplexed by Shyam’s antics but later joins in enthusiastically. After all he wants to see his family happy in its last few days. Meanwhile our little hero is dead set in his practice (sack racing is tougher than it looks), with a single-minded aim of saving his family.

Come D-day, Shyam runs the race of his life – literally! But can he save his family?

And,

In addition to the traditioanl method of distributitng to theatres, we are taking the movie to 350 + villages across the length and breadth of Maharashtra to show it to farmers and farming communitites.

for more information drop in a line to me – at harini at cogitotv dot com….

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HyperActiveXAnonymous(3)ms